Job Openings

Click on a job opening for more details.

Field Organizing Internship

Internships at MassEquality allow individuals to gain experience with the inner workings of a major political non-profit while making a difference in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Field organizing interns work side-by-side with the field staff at MassEquality to mobilize the community to take action on key social justice issues.

 Internship Description

Through public education, electoral and legislative organizing, and providing a presence in the community, the field team is able to create positive change in the lives of LGBT people in Massachusetts. Specific legislation and educational outreach is dependent on the time at which the internship begins.
Issues include, but are not limited to:

• Transgender equality
• Anti-bullying legislation and implementation
• HIV/AIDS legislation
• Protecting marriage equality and winning marriage in other New England states
• Inclusive pension reform

Interns will learn skills that will enable them to:

• Recruit a team of capable volunteers
• Train and coach volunteers to participate in phone banks, canvasses, and other volunteer actions
• Deliver presentations and trainings to advance public education
• Communicate the urgency and importance of issues affecting the LGBT community

Additionally, each intern chooses a concentration that fits their particular interests and goals, and works with coalition partners specific to their focus.

 Choosing an Area of Focus

The following are examples of possible concentrations interns may choose:

• Communities of Color Outreach
• Social Media
• Youth Outreach
• Faith Organizing
• State-Wide Volunteer Coordination

Interns may also choose an area of focus not listed above if there is something of particular interest that fits into the work of MassEquality’s Field Organizing Department. Each applicant will be expected to discuss this during the interview process.

 Requirements

MassEquality seeks interns who are passionate about social justice. A successful applicant is hard working, has excellent time management skills, and excellent communication skills. Prior campaign experience or volunteer coordination is not necessary; however, experience working towards social justice and social change in any capacity is a plus.

 Applications and Time Commitment

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To ensure full consideration please send in applications at least 3 weeks before the desired start date. Internships are generally 10-12 weeks for a semester or summer internship. Timelines for yearlong internships are discussed on an individual basis. Time commitments are variable dependent on the intern’s schedule and goals, falling between 15 to 30 hours per week.

Please email a resume and cover letter to Justin Lemley at justinlemley@massequality.org.

Development Internship

One critical need in many LGBT organizations is the recruitment and retention of talented development and fundraising staff. While the movement constantly fosters the professional development of program and field personnel, there is still a great need for mentoring young talent in the development field. The fostering of fundraising talent within the movement, will directly impact capacity building of any LGBT organization and its long term sustainability.

Internship Description

MassEquality is looking to mentor a development intern who will work closely with the Director of Development and the Development Coordinator for the entire summer. The intern will be involved with the development staff in all areas of development including the following areas:

• Management Support of Fundraising Events: Duties will include the management of volunteers, vendors and sponsors. In addition the intern will work with the DOD in the identification of corporate and individual sponsors, revenue tracking and stewardship of major gifts for the event(s).
• Data Analysis of Various Fundraising Campaigns: The intern will work closely with the Development Coordinator in the analysis of the individual appeals campaign and stewardship development for individual donors.
• Foundation and Grant Prospect Research and Writing: The intern will be involved in the research and prospecting of foundation and institutional sources of funding for our various initiatives, in particular our anti-bullying work. The intern will work with the DOD in the developing of narratives for grant applications.
As an intern in a small development shop, the candidate will have the opportunity to learn about all areas of development beyond the ones mentioned above. In addition, emphasis will be given to strategy development and implementation for all areas of organizational fundraising.

Requirements

A successful applicant must have strong writing skills and pay excellent attention to detail. Experience with event planning is strongly preferred.

Applications and Time Commitment

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To ensure full consideration please send in applications at least 3 weeks before the desired start date. Internships are generally 10-12 weeks for a semester or summer internship. Timelines for yearlong internships are discussed on an individual basis. Time commitments range from 10-15 hours per week.

Please email a resume and cover letter to David Samson at davidsamson@massequality.org.
 

Public Policy Internship

Job Title: Policy Fellow

Reporting to: Director of Public Policy and Political Affairs

Background: Founded in 2001 to advance and protect marriage equality in Massachusetts, MassEquality now works to ensure equal rights and opportunities for every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) person in Massachusetts from cradle to grave – in schools, in marriage and family life, at work and in retirement.

Position Summary: Public policy internships are available each semester and each summer in our Boston, Massachusetts office. Interns work in the Department of Public Policy and Government Affairs, which works to secure strategic public policy wins at the local, state and federal levels and to assist with implementation in order to ensure Massachusetts’ continued leadership in promoting and advancing equality and justice for all members of the LGBT community.

Responsibilities: Public Policy interns assist with all aspects of the policy program, including:

  • Drafting and reviewing legislation, advisory memoranda, advocacy letters, talking points, testimony and other materials supporting federal, state, and local civil rights legislation and policies.
  • Monitoring and analyzing legislation, regulations, and policies at the federal and state levels.
  • Analyzing federal and state court decisions for their impact on LGBT families.
  • Producing policy-related publications, training curricula, and other educational materials.
  • Collaborating with other social justice organizations to promote equality for the LGBT community.
  • Scheduling and occasionally attending meetings with legislators, administration officials or other coalition partners

Qualifications: Applicants should be current undergraduate or graduate students and possess strong academic record. Applicants should also have excellent interpersonal, research and writing skills, and an interest in LGBT issues. For all positions, a minimum 10-hour weekly commitment is expected.

Compensation/Credit: Academic credit may be available depending upon the policies of the student's school

Application Deadlines: All applications are considered on a rolling basis; applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.

To Apply: E-mail the following materials to Carly Burton, Director of Public Policy and Political Affairs at CarlyBurton@MassEquality.org:

  • cover letter (stating approximate dates and hours per week of availability)
  • resume
  • writing sample

Please include “Public Policy Internship Application” in the subject line.

No phone calls, please.

MassEquality.org is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, and transgender people are encouraged to apply.

Field Director

Job Title: Field Director

Reporting to:  Director of Public Policy and Political Affairs

Background:

Founded in 2001 to promote and protect marriage equality in Massachusetts, MassEquality now works to ensure that every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) person is protected from cradle to grave –with equal opportunities in schools, in marriage and family life, at work and in retirement.

To Download this Job Description in PDF, please click here.

Position Summary:

MassEquality seeks a Field Director with at least five to seven years experience, to oversee a team of talented individuals working to build long-term community and political infrastructure while delivering concrete legislative and electoral victories to ensure Massachusetts’ continued leadership in promoting and advancing equality and justice for all members of the LGBT community. The Field Director will report to the Director of Public Policy and Political Affairs, guide organizational direction as a member of the Management Team, and supervise a team comprised of two full-time staff.

 

Organizing and Coalition Building

  • Design and oversee comprehensive plan to engage, develop, and assist local activists to build long-term community and political infrastructure throughout Massachusetts;
  • Develop and execute educational and organizing campaigns designed to support legislative, policy and public education initiatives (and support partner organizations in doing the same, as their legal status allows);
  • Educate a range of audiences about legislative, electoral, and educational organizing through a long-term community-building lens at conferences, workshops, trainings and other public speaking (some travel required);
  • Develop and participate collaboratively and actively in coalitions with LGBT and allied organizations working across issues, identities, and communities to advance justice and equality for all LGBT people;
  • Respond to requests for information, resources, and technical assistance from local activists and coalition partners as appropriate;
  • Provide training, guidance, technical support, and long-term capacity building to partner statewide LGBT advocacy organizations;
  • Integrate online communications and organizing with offline organizing, mobilizing and events.

Electoral

  • Work closely with the Director of Public Policy and Political Affairs to elect and re-elect pro-equality candidates;
  • Support the MassEquality PAC board;
  • Shepherd the endorsement process;
  • Design and execute plans to register and educate voters;
  • Design and execute campaign field plans for electoral strategy;
  • Assist Director of Public Policy and Political Affairs in building and managing strong relationships with elected leaders and staff;
  • Educate potential LGBT candidates about how to effectively run a campaign.

 

Management

  • Manage and develop two field organizers;
  • In collaboration with other department leaders, craft and oversee the field department’s annual strategy, work plan, and budget, and assist with development and implementation of individual work plans and budgets for direct reports;
  • Develop tools and metrics to assess the success of field organizing efforts;
  • Compile regular reports for the board;
  • Role model cross-departmental collaboration and assist in the development and direction of organizational strategy as a member of the Management Team;
  • Represent MassEquality and its mission in the community;
  • Work with the communications team to develop key content for website and assist with social media campaigns to advance advocacy initiatives;
  • Oversee intern and volunteer recruitment and development.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director and/or the Director of Public Policy and Political Affairs.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

All candidates must have a “can do” attitude, enjoy a fast-paced environment, be highly organized without losing sight of larger objectives, and be committed to justice and equality for all LGBT people across issues, identities, and communities.

  • Minimum of 4-5 years experience in grassroots organizing and/or campaigns (electoral and issue preferred);
  • Experience including design and implementation of political canvasses is highly desirable;
  • Knowledge of Massachusetts political and electoral communities and laws is highly desirable;
  • Understanding and enjoyment of multifaceted advocacy that combines legislative strategy, grassroots organizing, media relations, policy analysis and coalition-building activities;
  • Demonstrated ability to forge productive and healthy collaborations;
  • Excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal skills, including public speaking;
  • Knowledge of interplay, distinctions and legal requirements of 501c(3), 501c(4) and Political Action Committees essential;
  • Keen analytical skills and attention to detail;
  • Ability to think “big picture” as well as to translate ideas into realistic, actionable plans;
  • Able to handle and prioritize appropriately multiple tasks in a timely and efficiently manner;
  • Ability to synthesize policy and political information for different audiences;
  • Ability to collaborate on projects with staff from other departments, and a high level of personal investment in contributing to the priorities of the organization as a whole;
  • Experience developing and managing work plans and project budgets as well as training, supervising, and developing staff and volunteers;
  • Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as projects demand it;
  • Demonstrated experience with LGBT issues is preferred; commitment and desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical ability, family status and other characteristics is an important and practiced value is essential.

 

To Apply:

Please forward via email a letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements by January 20, 2011 to Otto O’Connor (OttoOConnor@MassEquality.org).

Please include “Field Director Application” in the subject line.

MassEquality.org is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, and transgender people are encouraged to apply.